Messaging policy
This page covers text messages sent by the small self-hosted apps operated at chiaffredo.org. There is no company behind them and nothing is sold. They are run by one person for family, friends and amateur sports teams.
Who sends the messages
All of these apps are operated by Tony Chiaffredo as a personal, non-commercial project. There is no company. They share a single phone number, and the app’s name is always the first word of the message, so you can tell which one is texting you:
Trip Caddy:— planning a group trip. Verification codes, schedule changes, event reminders, a short daily summary while a trip is running, and notices when a group is splitting costs.Bar Down:— beer-league hockey. Game reminders, and nudges when you have not marked yourself in or out.Balls n' Strikes:— youth baseball. Game reminders and schedule changes.
What gets sent
Only messages tied to a group you have joined:
- One-time verification codes when you set up or recover your login
- Schedule and time changes for an event you are part of
- Event reminders shortly before something starts
- A short daily summary while a multi-day event is running
- Personal notices where a group is splitting shared costs
No marketing or promotional messages are ever sent. Nothing is advertised, and your number is never sold, rented, shared or given to anyone else for their own use.
How often
It depends on what you have joined, and it is low. A typical weekend event is around five or six messages in total. A sports season is a handful of messages per game week. Outside of an active event or season, most people receive nothing at all.
How you opt in
You receive a link or QR code from the person organising your group — someone who invited you personally.
On the screen where you set up your login there is a checkbox. The box is never pre-checked. It reads, in substance:
Text me updates about the weekend — schedule changes and a note each morning. Five or six texts total. Reply STOP any time.
Consent requires an affirmative tap. When you tick it, a record is written containing the date and time, the exact wording shown to you, and the IP address the request came from. That record exists so the consent can be evidenced later.
Consent to receive texts is never a condition of using any of these apps. You can decline and keep using everything; you simply will not get texts.
How to stop
Reply STOP to any message to opt out. You will get one confirmation
message and then nothing further.
You can also turn texts off in the app’s own settings, or ask the person who organises your group to remove you.
To opt back in, reply START, or tick the box again in the app.
Help
Reply HELP to any message for help and contact information. You can also
email the address in the footer of this page at any time.
Costs
These apps are free. However, message and data rates may apply — your mobile carrier may charge you for receiving text messages, depending on your plan. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Carriers and delivery
Messages are delivered through a third-party messaging provider and your mobile carrier. Delivery is not guaranteed. Do not rely on a text message for anything time-critical or safety-related.
Questions
Email the address in the footer of this page. It is read by the person who operates these apps.